Scoutmaster Minute: Looking forward to sharing some fellowship with our Troop 893 family this Tuesday evening. We still need a few helping hands to flip burgers and dogs.  I am sure with most everyone having started school this week, that a simple meal shared with friends will be fulfilling and less burdensome.

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
– Mohammed Ali
 

If we always helped one another, no one would need luck.
– Sophocles


1. This Week  Aug 27 – Troop 893 Back 2 School Picnic  @ Activity Field
Uniform – Class A/B
 
### We still need volunteers to help setup the activity field, run the bbq pit and grills plus a few other items like plates, cups ice. 
The back to school picnic is coming up on August 27th. This is a time for fellowship with all Troop families! All Troop members are welcome. Please plan to arrive by 6:45 pm at the CUMC activity field pavilion.
Possibility to also demonstrated your gaga ball skills if time permits. That means Class A with Class B underneath if you play to play…again time permitting.
The Troop will provide the hamburgers and hot dogs. Each family should bring soda/chips, side dish, or dessert as assigned by last name below:
A-L     Dessert  
M-R    Soda or other drink & bag of chips
S-Z     Side Dish

2.  Next Week Sept 3 – Leadership Elections (ALL)
Uniform – Class A
Part 1: Elections/Positions
Father Time keeps on ticking and its time to prepare the next Leadership team for the Fall 19-20 term. The majority of Scouts are now at a rank level where they must also hold a position of responsibility to demonstrate leadership as a requirement to advance. Scouts in interested in running for SPL should contact me ASAP. 
In order to get credit for a holding a position the Scout must directly engage and participate in order to provide impact.
Please review the attached Position Leadership Guide as you think about how you may serve your fellow Scouts in the next term, October 2019-March 2020.
 
All Scouts holding a position of responsibility are expected to participate in the Junior Leadership Training. 
Current we are looking at an overnighter, so afternoon of September 28 thru noon on September 29. 
If that does not work, then JLT will be most of the day on September 29
Part 2: Emergency Drill
Be Prepared is our motto. Plans and ideas are nice but they must be exercised to be effective. The Emergency Preparedness merit badge is Eagle required. That means every Scout must “take part in an emergency service project, either a real one or a practice drill, with a Scouting unit or a community agency.” Emer Prep req. 7(a).
3. Next Next Week Sept 10 – Get the Out in Scout (Phoenix/w Philmont Alumni Support)
Uniform – Class B
 
Review and demonstration of techniques to properly pack personnel items and equipment for a backpacking outing. This includes a serious review of backpack meal planning, water preparation, bear bags and Leave No Trace principles. This is a pre-shakedown event for the Sept 21-22 outing, but even if not attending this is excellent training. We will be using the Troops high adventure tents on this outing since regular tents are not designed for backpacking
 
The Troop and members have spare backpacks that can be used, so this does not necessarily require the purchase of new equipment. This outing is excellent chance to get a taste of high adventure and the possibilities that come with the skills and techniques used on this type of outing. We will need confirmation of intent ASAP so travel arrangements can be made for all going.
Critical personnel gear:
  • Hiking boots (no sneakers, no exceptions)
  • Two 32oz Nalgene water bottles (minimum – 4 is better)
  • Backpack & raincover
  • Sleeping bag
  • Rain gear, top and bottom (ponchos dont work well)
4.  After That Sept 17 – Backpacking Gearcheck/Shakedown (Pandas/w Philmont Alumni Support)
Uniform – Class B
 
This meeting will serve as a confirmatory gear check and final shakedown for the backpacking out on Sept 21-22 from Paris, VA to Sky Meadows, VA. That means all Scouts attending must arrive to meeting as if they were leaving that evening for the trip. This outing has been setup top provide a introductory level backpacking experience and proper gear is essential, starting with footwear and rain gear which will be reviewed the week prior.
Confirm tentmates and travel logistics/drivers.
5. Troop Outing Sept 21-22 – Backpacking Paris to Sky Meadow
Uniform – Class A/B
The following is a rough agenda for this outing. There will be no Troop trailer and all gear/food/water will be in you backpack, including tents.
Perfect opportunity to work on Camping, Cooking, Backpacking or Hiking Merit Badges. Additional details to follow.
Saturday
8:00am Scouts will arrive at CUMC VDOT
8:30am Scouts depart for Appalachian Trail in Paris, VA
10:00am Hike to Sky Meadows begins (~5-6miles)
Lunch on trail
4:00 pm Arrive at Sky Meadows campsite
Sunday
8:00am Hike ~1mi to Sky Meadow parking area
9:45 am Scouts will arrive at CUMC VDOT
6.  Further Out Sept 24 – Recruiting/Mini-Troop Showcase (ALL Patrols)
Uniform – Class A/B
This meeting be opportunity to showcase Troop resources and Scouting skills to Arrow of Light Scouts that may be interested in joining Troop 893 in the Spring. Scouts will led several stations to share skills, such as those needed at the fall camporee such a signs & signals in the form of semaphore. Other station will provide a little lite cooking, tent assemble and lashing a camp gadget.
7. Plan Ahead Troop Outing Oct 11-13 – Mountain Man Rendezvous
Uniform – Class A/B
For the fall camporee will we will travel to the Harpers Ferry area for a Mountain Man Rendezvous. Here are some of the activities and skills that will challenge Scouts and will likely be the focus for several meetings between now and then.
Foosball Agility Trail Knife throwing Giant slingshot
Signals and codes Fire building Knots and lashing Map and compass
Tomahawk throwing Archery Lumberjack (caber) toss Climbing wall
Blacksmithing Trading post  Shelter building Cooking
Branding First Aid  2-man sawing Trapping

8.  Key Dates
Aug 27: Back 2 School Troop Picnic @ CUMC Activity Field
Sept 3: Leadership Elections
Sept 21-22:  Backpacking Paris, VA to Sky Meadows (planning in progress)
Sept 28-29: Junior Leadership Training (Tentative overnight @ Bears Den)
Oct 1: Fall Court of Honor
Oct 11-13: Mountain Man Rendezvous
Nov 15-17: Mission Impossible